This medication is employed to assist relieve severe ongoing pain (such as thanks to cancer). Oxycodone belongs to a category of medicine called opioid analgesics. It works within the brain to vary how your body feels and responds to pain.
The higher strengths of this drug (more than 40 milligrams per tablet) should be used provided that you've got been regularly taking moderate to large amounts of an opioid pain medication. These strengths may cause overdose (even death) if taken by an individual who has not been regularly taking opioids. Do not use the extended-release variety of oxycodone to alleviate pain that's mild or that may get away during a few days. This medication isn’t for infrequent ( "as needed ") use.
How to use Oxycontin
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you begin taking extended-release oxycodone and every time you get a refill. If you have got any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication on a daily schedule as directed by your doctor, not as required for sudden (breakthrough) pain.
Take this drug with or without food, usually every 12 hours. If you've got nausea, it should help to require this drug with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible). If nausea persists, see your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole. Don’t break, crush, chew, or dissolve the tablets.
Doing so can release the entire drug without delay, increasing the danger of oxycodone overdose. To lessen the possibility of choking or having trouble swallowing the tablet, take only 1 a tablet at a time if your dose is for quite one tablet. Don’t pre-soak, lick, or wet the tablet before placing it in your mouth. Make sure to drink enough water with each tablet to swallow it completely.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking fruit crush while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you'll do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the possibility of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. The dosage relies on your medical condition and response to treatment. Don’t increase your dose, take the medication more frequently, or take it for an extended time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed. Before you begin taking this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you ought to stop or change how you utilize your other opioid medication(s). Other pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen) might also be prescribed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using oxycodone safely with other drugs.
Suddenly stopping this medication may cause withdrawal, especially if you have got used it for a protracted time or in high doses. To forestall withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist instantly if you have got any withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, mental/mood changes (including anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide), watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden changes in behavior. When this medication is employed for an extended time, it should not work similarly.
Talk together with your doctor if this medication stops working well. Though it helps many folks, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk could also be higher if you've got a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the danger of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor if your pain doesn’t convalesces or if it gets worse.
